Dr. Elika Bergelson and the Bergelson Lab in the Department of Psychology at Harvard University invite applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, with a focus on early language. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be involved in our research on understanding the early cognitive and linguistic skills that underly improvements in word learning and other aspects of language development in the first few years of life. This will primarily involve collecting, analyzing, and writing up experimental data collected in the lab that links different aspects of early skills within and across children, over infancy and toddlerhood. The goal is to build a mechanistic account of how infants become better language learners. The Postdoctoral Fellow will also have the opportunity to develop their own ideas in establishing new collaborative projects building on our ongoing work.

Responsibilities:

This is a one-year term position with possibility of renewal dependent upon job performance and continued availability of funding.

The Department of Psychology sits within the Division of Social Science, which is strongly committed to creating and supporting a broad workforce of social scientists. Respect, kindness, professionalism, trust, and transparency are among our core values. We work hard to ensure a healthy, inclusive, and positive environment where everyone does their best work. Learn more about the Bergelson lab (including FAQs, and our approach to science and inclusivity) on our website.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, CV, and a statement of research about their prior relevant work, along with two to three references’ names and contact information through the ARIeS Portal. After initial vetting, some candidates may also be asked to provide a brief research proposal. A minimum of two (2) letters of recommendation will be required from all finalists. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

For more information, please visit the Bergelson Lab and Department of Psychology websites, or contact Dr. Bergelson directly with “Postdoc2026” in the title.

Please note: This position is contingent upon funding and satisfactory performance.

Dr. Elika Bergelson
Department of Psychology
Harvard University

$67,600-$80,000

Pay offered to the selected candidate is dependent on factors such as years of experience, training or qualification, field of scholarship, and accomplishments in the field.